Fluid delivery device

ABSTRACT

A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, oncolytics, hormones, steroids, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from prefilled containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser uniquely includes a stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable elastomeric member of novel construction that provides the force necessary to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The device further includes a fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solution to the patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fluid delivery devices. Moreparticularly, the invention concerns an improved apparatus for infusingmedicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates overextended periods of time, which apparatus includes a novel energysource, a novel fill means for filling the reservoir of the apparatusand a unique, adjustable, multichannel flow rate control means forprecisely adjustably controlling the rate of fluid flow from thereservoir of the device.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

A number of different types of medicament dispensers for dispensingmedicaments to ambulatory patients have been suggested. Many of thedevices seek either to improve or to replace the traditional gravityflow and hypodermic syringe methods which have been the standard fordelivery of liquid medicaments for many years.

The prior art gravity flow methods typically involve the use ofintravenous administration sets and the familiar flexible solution bagsuspended above the patient. Such gravametric methods are cumbersome,imprecise and require bed confinement of the patient. Periodicmonitoring of the apparatus by the nurse or doctor is required to detectmalfunctions of the infusion apparatus.

Many medicinal agents require an intravenous route for administrationthus bypassing the digestive system and precluding degradation by thecatalytic enzymes in the digestive tract and the liver. The use of morepotent medications at elevated concentrations has also increased theneed for accuracy in controlling the delivery of such drugs. Thedelivery device, while not an active pharmacologic agent, may enhancethe activity of the drug by mediating its therapeutic effectiveness.Certain classes of new pharmacologic agents possess a very narrow rangeof therapeutic effectiveness, for instance, too small a dose results inno effect, while too great a dose can result in a toxic reaction.

For those patients that require frequent injections of the same ordifferent amounts of medicament, the use of the hypodermic syringemethod of delivery is common. However for each injection, it isnecessary to first draw the injection dose into the syringe, then checkthe dose and, after making certain that all air has been expelled fromthe syringe, finally, inject the dose either under bolus or slow pushprotocol. This cumbersome and tedious procedure creates an unacceptableprobability of debilitating complications, particularly for the elderlyand the infirm.

As will be appreciated from the discussion which follows, the apparatusof the present invention is uniquely suited to provide precise fluiddelivery management at a low cost in those cases where a variety ofprecise dosage schemes are of utmost importance. An important aspect ofthe apparatus of the present invention is the provision of novel fillmeans for filling the reservoir of the device using a conventionalmedicament vials or cartridge containers of various types having apierceable septum. Another unique feature of the apparatus of thepresent invention is an embedded microcapillary multichannel flow ratecontrol means which enables precise control of the rate of fluid flow ofthe medicament to the patient. More particularly, the apparatus of thepresent invention, includes a unique, adjustable fluid flow ratemechanism which enables the fluid contained within the reservoir of thedevice to be precisely dispensed at various selected rates.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used with minimalprofessional assistance in an alternate health care environment, such asthe home. By way of example, devices of the invention can be comfortablyand conveniently removably affixed to the patient's body or clothing andcan be used for the continuous infusion of injectable anti-infectives,hormones, steroids, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and likemedicinal agents. Similarly, the devices of the invention can be usedfor most I-V chemotherapy and can accurately deliver fluids to thepatient in precisely the correct quantities and at extended microfusionrates over time.

By way of summary, the apparatus of the present invention uniquelyovercomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a novel,disposable dispenser of simple but highly reliable construction. Aparticularly important aspect of the apparatus of the present inventionresides in the provision of a novel, self-contained energy source in theform of a substantially constant-force compressible-expandableelastomeric member that provides the force necessary to uniformly andprecisely dispense various solutions from standard prefilled vialcontainers that can be conveniently loaded into the apparatus. Becauseof the simplicity of construction of the apparatus of the invention, andthe straightforward nature of the energy source, the apparatus can bemanufactured at low cost without in any way sacrificing accuracy andreliability.

With regard to the prior art, one of the most versatile and unique fluiddelivery apparatus developed in recent years is that developed by thepresent inventor and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,820. Thecomponents of this novel fluid delivery apparatus generally include: abase assembly, an elastomeric membrane serving as a stored energy means,fluid flow channels for filling and delivery, flow control means, acover, and an ullage which comprises a part of the base assembly.

Another prior art patent issued to the present applicant, namely U.S.Pat. No. 5,743,879, discloses an injectable medicament dispenser for usein controllably dispensing fluid medicaments from a prefilled containerat a uniform rate. The dispenser, which is quite dissimilar inconstruction and operation from that of the present invention, includesa stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable,polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary tocontrollably discharge the medicament from a prefilled container whichis housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, thepolymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configurationin a highly predictable manner.

Another important prior art fluid delivery device is described in theU.S. Pat. No. 6,063,059 also issued to the present inventor. Thisdevice, while being of a completely different construction embodies acompressible-expandable stored energy source somewhat similar to thatused in the apparatus of the present invention.

Still another prior art fluid delivery device, in which the presentinventor is also named as an inventor, is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,086,561. This latter patent incorporates a fill system that makes useof conventional vials and cartridge medicament containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact fluiddispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as,antibiotics, oncolytics, hormones, steroids, blood clotting agents,analgesics, and like medicinal agents from prefilled containers at auniform rate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact fluiddispenser that includes a housing to which fill vials can be connectedfor filling the dispenser reservoir with the injectable fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of in which astored energy source is provided in the form of a substantiallyconstant-force, compressible-expandable elastomeric member of novelconstruction that provides the force necessary to continuously anduniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the classdescribed which includes a fluid flow control assembly that preciselycontrols the flow of the medicament solution to the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that includesprecise variable flow rate selection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser which isadapted to be used with conventional prefilled drug containers todeliver beneficial agents therefrom in a precise and sterile manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser of theclass described which is compact, lightweight, is easy for ambulatorypatients to use, is fully disposable, and is extremely accurate so as toenable the infusion of precise doses of medicament over prescribedperiods of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which embodies a novel fluid volume indicator that provides areadily discernible visual indication of the volume of fluid remainingin the device reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to provide a point of care,self-contained medicament dispenser which is of very simple constructionand can be filled at will at time of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser asdescribed in the preceding paragraphs which is easy and inexpensive tomanufacture in large quantities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one embodiment of the fluiddelivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensing fluids at auniform rate.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing theapparatus in a fluid fill mode.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3A-3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one of the prefilled medicamentshell vials that can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of theapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A is a view taken along lines 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 8A and 8B, when considered together comprise a generallyperspective, exploded view of the various internal operating componentsof the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 8C is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of theindexing means of the invention.

FIG. 8D is a fragmentary, front view similar to the front view shown inFIG. 6, but better showing the configuration of the indexing means ofthe invention.

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8E-8E of FIG. 8D.

FIG. 8F is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view of the forward portionof the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8G is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8G-8G of FIG. 8F.

FIG. 8H is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8G butshowing the indexing means in a locked position.

FIG. 9 is a generally perspective, front view of one form of the fluidflow control assembly of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a generally perspective, exploded front view of the fluidflow control assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of the flow controlchannels formed in the flow control member shown in the central portionof FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a generally perspective, rear view of the fluid flow controlassembly of the apparatus of the invention shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the fluid flowcontrol assembly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13A is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of theflow control member of the invention.

FIG. 13B if a generally perspective view of yet another form of the flowcontrol member of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a generally perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensingfluids at a uniform rate.

FIG. 20 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the alternateform of the invention shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a generally perspective front view of the alternate form ofthe invention shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of themanifold and control apparatus shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22A is a generally perspective, exploded view of the apparatusshown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 23 is an end view of one of the prefilled medicament shell vialsthat can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a view taken along lines 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is cross-sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a view taken along lines 26-26 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is a view taken along lines 27-27 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 28-28 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 30-30 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the forward portionof the alternate form of the apparatus shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 32 is a generally perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensingfluids at a uniform rate.

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view of the fill vial assembly of the formof the invention shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the alternate form of the invention shownin FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of the fill vial cover assembly ofthe alternate form of the invention shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a view taken along lines 35-35 of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a right-end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is cross-sectional view taken along lines 37-37 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a bottom plan view of the alternate form of the apparatusshown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 39-39 of FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a view taken along lines 40-40 of FIG. 37.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 41-41 of FIG. 37.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 42-42 of FIG. 37.

FIG. 43 is a generally perspective view of yet another embodiment of thefluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensing fluidsat a uniform rate.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 45-45 of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a left-end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is view taken along lines 47-47 of FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 48-48 of FIG. 44.

FIG. 49 is an enlarged view of one of the fill vial assemblies shown inFIG. 44.

FIG. 49A is a view taken along lines 49A-49A of FIG. 49.

FIG. 50 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate formof the invention shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 51 is a generally perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensingfluids at a uniform rate.

FIG. 52 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 53-53 of FIG. 52.

FIG. 54 is a left-end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 52.

FIG. 55 is a side view of the vial cover assembly of the apparatus ofthe invention.

FIG. 56 is a view taken along lines 56-56 of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of one of thefill vial assemblies shown in FIG. 52.

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 58-58 of FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the otherfill vial assembly of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 60-60 of FIG. 59.

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate form of fill vialassembly of the invention.

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 62-62 of FIG. 61.

FIG. 63 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the embodimentshown in FIG. 51.

FIG. 64 is a generally perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensingfluids at a uniform rate.

FIG. 65 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 64.

FIG. 66 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 64.

FIG. 67 is a right-end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 69-69 of FIG. 66.

FIG. 70 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the apparatus ofthis latest form of the invention.

FIG. 71 is a generally perspective front view of yet another embodimentof the fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention for dispensingfluids at a uniform rate.

FIG. 72 is a generally perspective rear view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 71.

FIG. 73 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of theapparatus shown in FIG. 71.

FIG. 74 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the area designated as“74” in FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a right end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 76 is an exploded view of the forward section of the apparatusshown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 77-77 of FIG. 76.

FIG. 78 is a view taken along lines 78-78 of FIG. 76.

FIG. 79 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 79-79 of FIG. 78.

FIG. 80 is a view taken along lines 80-80 of FIG. 76.

FIG. 81 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of one form of therate control assembly of the invention.

FIG. 82 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the rate controlassembly shown in FIG. 81.

FIG. 83 is a generally perspective, exploded front view of the ratecontrol assembly shown in FIG. 81.

FIG. 84 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the ratecontrol assembly shown in FIG. 81.

FIG. 85 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 85-85 of FIG. 81.

FIG. 86 is a view similar to FIG. 85, but showing an alternate form ofthe fluid flow control member of the rate control assembly of theinvention.

FIG. 86A is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 86A-86Aof FIG. 86.

FIG. 87 is an exploded view of still another form of the rate controlassembly of the invention.

FIG. 88 is an exploded view of yet another form of the rate controlassembly of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, oneembodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention is thereillustrated and generally designated by the numeral 34. As best seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus here comprises a snap-together plasticouter housing 34 having a first, second and third portions 36, 38 and 40respectively. Disposed within outer housing 34 is an inner, expandablehousing 42 having a fluid reservoir 44 provided with an inlet 46 (FIG.2) for permitting fluid flow into the fluid reservoir and an outlet 48for permitting fluid flow from the fluid reservoir. Expandable housing42, which can be constructed from a metal or plastic material, comprisesa bellows structure having an expandable and compressible,accordion-like, annular-shaped sidewall 42 a, the configuration of whichis best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. If the internal materials interface ofthe bellows structure and other fluid channels or surfaces are notsufficiently compatible with the planned beneficial agent to bedelivered, either in terms of its biocompatibility or drug up-takecharacteristics, application of a surface modification process isappropriate. This surface modification methodology, which may involveone or more layers, may take one of several forms. One process that isextremely clean, fast and efficient is plasma processing. In particularthis technique allows for any of the following: plasma activation,plasma induced grafting and plasma polymerization of molecular entitieson the internal drug surface of the bellows. For cases where an inerthydrophobic interface is desired, plasmas using fluorine-containingmolecules may be employed. That is, the bellows surface as well as othersurfaces that may be contacted by the beneficial agent may be cleanedwith an inert gas plasma, and subsequently, a fluorine-containing plasmamay be used to graft these molecules to the surface. Alternatively, if ahydrophilic surface is desired (e.g. for drug solutions that are highlycorrosive or in oil-based solvents) an initial plasma cleaning may bedone, followed by a plasma polymerization using hydrophilic monomers.

Disposed within second portion 38 of outer housing 34 is the novelstored energy means of the invention for acting upon expandable housing42 in a manner to controllably collapse the expandable housing so as tocause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 44 to controllably flowoutwardly of the housing. In the present form of the invention, thisimportant stored energy means here comprises a compressively deformable,generally homogeneous member 50 that is carried within the secondportion 38 of the outer housing. As used herein, the term “homogeneous”means a member of the same general composition or structure throughout,that is, of the same kind and nature as opposed to a member consistingof different elements. In a manner presently to be described member 50,which is depicted in FIG. 2, as an elastomeric polymeric member, isfirst compressed by fluid flowing into reservoir 44 and then iscontrollably expanded to cause fluid flow from the outer housing throughthe dispensing means of the invention. It is to be understood that thestored energy means can be constructed from a wide variety of solid,semisolid, and cellular materials including open cell, closed cell,syntactic forms with micro spheres, rubbers, foams, sponges, metalizedfoams, plastics and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Other suitablematerials include latex rubber, rubber polyolefins, polyisoprene(natural rubber), butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, polystyrene,polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride polyurethane, vinyls, vinyl-end-blockedpolydimethylsiloxanes, other homopolymer, copolymers (randomalternating, block, graft, cross-link and star block), silicones andother flouropolymers, mechanical poly-blends, polymer alloys andinterpenetrating polymer networks. Suppliers of elastomeric materialssuitable for construction of member 50 include “2 and 5 Plastics” ofNewark, N.J.; Ludlow Composite Corp. of Fremont, Ohio and PolymerTechnologies, Inc. of Newark, Del. Member 50 can also comprise a ductilemetalized foam of the character available from various sources,including “Chemetall” of Frankfurt, Germany.

Forming an important aspect of the apparatus of the present invention isfill means carried by the third portion 40 of outer housing 34 forfilling the reservoir 44 with the fluid to be dispensed. As best seen inFIG. 2, third portion 40 includes a fluid passageway 52 in communicationwith inlet 46 of fluid reservoir 44. Proximate its lower end 52 a, fluidpassageway 52 communicates with a cavity 54 formed within the thirdportion of the housing 34. Disposed within cavity 54 is a pierceableseptum 56 that comprises a part of one form of the fill means of theinvention. Septum 56 is held in position by a retainer 56 a and ispierceable by the needle of the syringe which contains the medicinalfluid to be dispensed and which can be used in a conventional manner tofill or partially fill reservoir 44 via passageway 52 or to retrievefluid from reservoir 44. Septum 56 can be a slit or a solid septumconstructed from an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber.Additionally, a mechanical check valve can function as a septalinterface, for drug filling and for residual drug recovery such asvalves available from C. R. Bard of Murray Hill, N.J.

Third portion 40 of housing 34 also includes a first chamber 60 fortelescopically receiving a first medicament containing fill vial 62 suchas a closed-end glass or plastic shell vial, and a second chamber 64 fortelescopically receiving a similarly constructed second medicamentcontaining vial 66. An elongated support 68 is mounted within said firstchamber 60 and a second elongated support 70 is mounted within secondchamber 64. Each of the elongated supports 68 and 70 has an integrallythreaded end portion 71 and carries a longitudinally extending,elongated hollow needle or cannula 72. Each of the hollow needles 72 hasa flow passageway 72 a that communicates with fluid passageway 52. Firstchamber 60, second chamber 64, elongated support 68, elongated support70 and hollow needles 72 together comprise an alternate form of the fillmeans of the apparatus of the invention. The method of operation of thisalternate form of fill means will presently be described.

Forming another very important aspect of the apparatus of the presentinvention is a novel flow control means that is connected to firstportion 36 of outer housing 34. This flow control means functions toprecisely control the outwardly rate of fluid flow from reservoir 44 andtoward the patient. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1through 18 the flow control means comprises a flow control assemblygenerally designated in the drawings by the numeral 76. This novel flowcontrol assembly here comprises an ullage defining member 78 having afirst portion 78 a disposed within inner, expandable housing 42 and asecond portion 78 b to which the bellows is bonded. Portion 78 b extendsoutwardly from housing 42 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Bellows 44cooperates with and is slidably movable relative to ullage portion 78 ain the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For a purpose presently to bedescribed, member 78 b has a fluid passageway 79 that is incommunication with an outlet of the flow control subassembly 80, thecharacter of which will next be described. Portion 78 a of the ullagemember functions to ensure that substantially all of the medicinal fluidcontained within the bellows reservoir will be dispensed from thedevice.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 13, it can be seen that flow controlsubassembly 80, which comprises a part of flow control assembly 76,includes an outer casing 82 having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced apart fluid outlets 84, a flow control member 86 telescopicallyreceivable within casing 82 and a selector knob 88 that isinterconnected with control member 86 in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 and12. O-rings generally designated in the drawings as “0” sealablyinterconnect the various components (see FIG. 15). As best seen in FIGS.10 and 13, flow control member 86 is uniquely provided with a pluralityof elongated flow control channels 90, each having an inlet 90 a and anoutlet 90 b. The flow channels 90 may be of different sizes, lengths,width and depth and configurations as shown by FIGS. 13A and 13B whichdepict alternate patterned forms of the flow control member, hereidentified as 86 a and 86 b. The flow control channels identified inFIG. 13B by the numeral 90 b are formed in individual, spaced-apartcapillary segments 91 and define the circuitous flow path depicted inFIG. 13B. Further, the flow control channels may be rectangular incross-section as illustrated in FIG. 11, or alternatively, they can besemicircular in cross-section, U-shaped in cross-section, or they mayhave any other cross-sectional configuration that may be appropriate toachieve the desired fluid flow characteristics. As indicated by thedesignation “C”, when necessary for drug compatibility reasons, the flowchannels can be appropriately coated in the manner indicated in FIG. 11.Coating “C” can be of various types and the coating can be applied byseveral techniques including the earlier-described cold plasmaprocessing technique. When the flow control member is properlypositioned within outer casing 82, the inner surface of the outer casingwall sealably cooperates with channels 90 to form a plurality ofindividual shaped fluid flow passageways of different overall lengthsand flow capacities. When the flow control member is positioned withinthe outer casing in the manner shown in FIG. 12, a notch 86 b formed inmember 86 receives a tongue 82 a provided on casing 82 so as toprecisely align the outlets 90 b of the flow channels 90 with fluidoutlets 84 formed in casing 82.

The flow control channels 90 can be made by several techniques including(micro) injection molding, injection-compression molding, hot-embossingand casting. The techniques used to make these imbedded fluid channelsare now common-place in the field of microfluidics, which gave rise tothe lab-on-a-chip, bio-MEMS and micro-total analysis systems (m-TAS)industries. Additionally, depending on the size of the fluid channelsrequired for a given flow rate, more conventional injection moldingtechniques can be used.

The first step in making the channels using an injection molding orembossing process is a lithographic step, which allows a precise patternof channels to be printed on a “master” with lateral structure sizesdown to 0.5 mm. or less. Subsequently, electroforming is performed toproduce the negative metal form, or mold insert. Alternatively forlarger channel systems, precision milling can be used to make the moldinsert directly. Typical materials for the mold insert or embossing toolare nickel, nickel alloys, steel and brass. Once the mold insert of theembossing tool is fabricated, the polymer of choice may be injectionmolded or embossed to yield the desired part with imprinted channels.

Alternatively, channels can also be made by one of a variety of castingprocesses. In general, a liquid plastic resin (e.g. a photopolymer) canbe applied to the surface of a metal master (made by the techniquesdescribed above) and then cured via thermal or UV means. Afterhardening, the material is then “released” from the mold to yield thedesired part. Additionally, there are similar techniques available thatutilize CAD data (of the desired channel configuration) and direct lasercuring of a liquid monomer to yield a polymerized and solidified partwith imbedded channels. This process is available from multiple sourcesincluding MicroTEC MbH of Duisburg, Germany.

A number of materials can be used to fabricate flow control member 86.While medical grade polymers are the most appropriate materials, othermaterials can be used including: Thermoplastics (embossing & injectionmolding); Duroplastics (injection molding); Elastomers (injectioncompression molding and soft lithography); Polyurethanes (castings); andAcrylics and Epoxies.

Selector knob 88, which comprises a part of the selector means of theinvention, is rotatably connected to second portion 78 b of ullagedefining member 78 and, in a manner presently to be described, functionsto rotate the assembly made up of outer casing 82 and flow controlmember 86. In this way, a selected outlet 84 in casing 82 can beselectively aligned with flow passageway 79 provided in the ullagedefining member (see FIG. 2).

Turning once again to FIG. 1, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of the present invention is dispensing means fordispensing fluid to the patient. In the present form of the inventionthis dispensing means comprises an administration set 94 that isconnected to the first portion 36 of housing 34 in the manner shown inthe drawings. The proximal end 95 a of administration line 95 of theadministration set or channel 94 is in communication with fluidpassageway 79 in the manner best seen in FIG. 2. Disposed between theproximal end 95 a and the distal end 95 b of the administration line isa conventional gas vent and particulate filter 96 and clamp 97. Providedat the distal end 95 b is a luer connector 98 of conventionalconstruction.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the details of construction of a glass orplastic shell vial 62, which vial is identical in construction to fillvial 66, is there shown. As indicated in these figures, each of the fillvials includes a body portion 100, having a fluid chamber 102 forcontaining an injectable fluid. Chamber 102 is provided with a firstopen end 100 a and second closed end 100 b. First open end 100 a issealably closed by closure means here provided in the form of anexternally threaded elastomeric plunger 104 which is telescopicallymovable within the vial from a first location shown in FIG. 4, where theplunger is disposed proximate first open end 100 a, to a seconddevice-fill location shown in FIG. 2 where the plunger is disposedproximate second closed end 100 b.

After opening of closure 103, which forms a part of the third portion 40of housing 34 (FIG. 3), vials 62 and 66 can be inserted into chambers 60and 64 respectively. As the fill vials are so introduced and theplungers 104 are threadably interconnected with ends 71 of supports 68and 70, the sharp ends of the elongated needles will pierce the centralwalls 104 a of the elastomeric plungers. Continuous longitudinalmovement of the vials into chambers 60 and 64 will cause the structuralsupports 68 and 70 to move the elastomeric plungers inwardly of the vialchambers in a direction toward the second closed end 100 b of the vials.As the plunger is move inwardly of the vial in the manner shown in thelower portion of FIG. 3, wherein only vial 66 is shown being used, thefluid contained within the vial chamber will be expelled therefrom intothe passageway 72 a of hollow elongated needles 72. As best seen in FIG.2, the fluid will then flow past umbrella type check valves 108 and intopassageways 110 formed in third portion 40 of the apparatus housing.Elastomeric umbrella type check valves 108 will function tosubstantially block reverse fluid flow from fluid passageways 110. Frompassageways 110 the fluid will flow into passageway 52, into stubpassageway 52 b and then into the reservoir portion 44 of the bellowscomponent 42 via inlet 46 which comprises microchannels formed in ullage78 a. It is to be understood that the vials 62 and 66 can contain thesame or different medicinal fluids or diluents and can be installed intotheir respective chambers in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As the fluid flows into the reservoir portion of the bellows, thebellows will be expanded from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG.2 into an expanded configuration such as shown in FIG. 3. As the bellowsmember expands it will simultaneously urge a telescopically movablevolume indicator member 112 that is carried within second portion of thehousing into engagement with the stored energy source, orcompressible-expandable member 50 causing it to compress. It is also tobe understood that, if desired, the reservoir portion of the bellowscomponent can also be filled by alternate filling means of the characterpreviously described which comprises a syringe having a needle adaptedto pierce the pierceable septum 56 which is mounted within third portion40 of the apparatus housing. Fluid can also be retrieved from thereservoir using a syringe in conjunction with a mechanical septum or,alternatively, septum 56.

As the reservoir 44 fills with fluid either from the fill vials or fromthe filling syringe, any gases trapped within the reservoir will bevented to atmosphere via vent means “V” mounted in portion 78 b of theullage member. This vent means here comprises a gas vent 113 that isbonded to the housing and can be constructed of a suitable hydrophobicporous material such as a porous plastic. Bonded gas vent 113 is held inposition within the housing by a retainer ring 113 a (FIG. 8B). Thisalternate fill means can be used to initially fill the reservoir oralternatively can be used to add an injectible fluid such as an adjuvantfluid.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94 in amanner presently be described, the stored energy means, or member 50,will tend to return to its starting configuration thereby controllablyurging fluid flow outwardly of reservoir 44 via passageway 114 and theflow control means of the invention.

As previously discussed, a number of beneficial agents can be containedwithin liquid vial containers 62 and 66 and can be controllablydispensed to the patient including, by way of example, medicaments ofvarious types, injectable drugs, pharmaceuticals, hormones, antibodies,biologically active materials, elements, chemical compounds, or anyother suitable material useful in diagnostic cure, medication, treatmentor preventing of diseases or the maintenance of the good health of thepatient.

Considering next the important operation of the fluid flow rate controlmeans of the invention, as the fluid contained within the bellowsreservoir 44 is urged outwardly thereof by the stored energy means, thefluid will flow into a fluid passageway 114 formed in the first portion78 a of ullage member 78. The fluid will then flow under pressurethrough a filter means shown here as a filter 116 that is carried in acavity provided in the flow control member 86 of the flow controlsubassembly 80. Filter 116, which functions to filter particulatematter, undissolved drugs or precipitates from the fluid flowingoutwardly from reservoir 44 is of a character well known to thoseskilled in the art and can be constructed from various readily availablematerials such as polysolfone and polypropylene wafers having a desiredporosity. After flowing through filter 116, the fluid will flow, via astub passageway 118 (FIG. 15) into the distribution means of theinvention for distributing fluid from the fluid reservoir to each of theplurality of spiral passageways 90. This distribution means herecomprises several radially outwardly extending flow passageways 120formed in flow control member 86. The filtered fluid will fillpassageways 120 and then will flow into the plurality of spiralpassageways 90 formed in member 86 via outlets 90 b, which communicatewith passageways 120 (see FIG. 10). The fluid contained within spiralpassageways 90 can flow outwardly of the device housing only when one ofthe fluid outlets 84 formed in casing 82 is aligned with reservoiroutlet 79.

Selection of the passageway 90 from which the fluid is to be dispensedis accomplished by rotation of the selector knob 88 which, as best seenin FIG. 13 includes a reduced diameter portion 88 a having a slot 88 bformed therein. As illustrated in FIG. 13, slot 88 b is adapted toreceive a spline 86 a (FIG. 10) formed anteriorly of member 86. Withthis construction, rotation of selector member 88 by gripping atransversally extending finger gripping member 89 will impart partrotation to member 86. As seen in FIG. 13, casing 82 is also providedwith an inwardly extending spline segment 82 a that is received within aslot 86 b formed in the rearward periphery of member 86. Accordingly,rotation of member 86 will also impart concomitant rotation to casingmember 82.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, selector knob 88 is provided with aplurality of circumferentially spaced apart indexing cavities 88 c thatclosely receive an indexing finger 124 which forms a part of theindexing means of the invention, which means comprises a locking shaftcover 126 that is connected to third portion 40 of the apparatus housing(see FIGS. 1 and 2). Indexing finger 124 is continuously urged intoengagement with a selected one of the indexing cavities 88 c by a coilspring 128 that also forms a part of the indexing means of theinvention. Coil spring 128 (FIG. 2) can be compressed by an inward forceexerted on an indexing shaft 130 that is mounted in locking shaft cover126 and is movable from the extended position shown in FIG. 2 to aninward, finger release position wherein spring 128 is compressed andfinger 124 is retracted from a selected indexing cavity 88 c. Withfinger 124 in its retracted position it is apparent that control knob 88can be freely rotated to a position wherein flow rate indicia 134 formedon the periphery of knob 88 (FIG. 9) can be viewed through a viewingwindow 36 a formed in the first portion 36 of the apparatus housing.Locking means, here provided in the form of a locking tab 140 (see FIG.8C), is also carried by the locking shaft cover and, when moved from therelease position shown in FIG. 8G into the locking position shown inFIG. 8H, prevents inward movements of the indexing shaft 130 against theurging of spring 128 (FIGS. 6A, 8B, 8D, 8E and 8F). A spring biasedretainer pin 141 (FIG. 8E) functions to retain the selector knob inposition within housing 34.

When the selector knob is in the desired position and pressure isreleased on indexing shaft 130, spring 128 will urge finger 124 of theindexing means of the invention into locking engagement with one of theindexing cavities 88 c thereby placing a selected one of the spiralshaped flow control channels 90 in communication with the fluidreservoir 44 via passageways 120, 118 and 114. As the fluid flowsoutwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of the stored energy means50, the bellows structure 42 will be collapsed and at the same timemember 112 will travel inwardly of housing portion 38. Member 112, whichforms a part of the volume indicator means of the invention, includes aradially outwardly extending indicating finger 112 a that is visiblethrough a volume indicator window 143 that is provided in second portion38 of the apparatus housing and also comprises a part of the volumeindicator means of the invention (FIG. 1). Indicia 145, which areprovided on indicator window 143, function to readily indicate to thecaregiver the amount of fluid remaining within fluid reservoir 44.

A safety disabling means, shown here as a disabling shaft 151 that istelescopically movable within a passageway 151 a formed within thehousing functions to disable the device and render it unusable. Moreparticularly, shaft 151 has a distal end 151 b which, upon insertion ofthe shaft, will block fluid flow through passageway 79. A retainer 151 cnormally holds shaft 151 in the retracted position (see FIG. 3A).

Turning next to FIGS. 19 through 31, an alternate embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of the present invention is there illustrated andgenerally designated by the numeral 153. This alternate form of theapparatus of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown inFIGS. 1 through 18 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 19 through 31 toidentify like components. As best seen in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, theapparatus of this alternate form of the invention comprises an outerhousing 154 having first, second and third portions 156, 158 and 160respectively. Disposed within outer housing 154 is an inner, expandablehousing 162 that is quite similar in construction and operation toexpandable housing 42. Housing 162 includes a fluid reservoir 164 thatis provided with an inlet 166 (FIG. 22) for permitting fluid flow intothe fluid reservoir. Expandable housing 162, like expandable housing 42,comprises a bellows structure having an expandable and compressible,accordion-like, annular sidewall 162 a of the character best seen inFIG. 22.

Disposed within second portion 158 of outer housing 154 is the storedenergy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandable housing162 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 164to controllably flow through outlet 185. In this alternate form of theinvention, the important stored energy means is also similar inconstruction and operation to the earlier described stored energy meansand here comprises a compressively deformable, elastomeric member 170that is carried within the second portion 158 of the outer housing. Asbefore, in operation member 170 is first compressed by fluid flowinginto reservoir 164 and then is controllably expanded to cause fluid flowfrom the fluid reservoir. Stored energy member 170 can be constructedfrom a wide variety of materials including those materials earlierdescribed herein.

As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the apparatusof this alternate form of the invention comprises fill means carried bythe third portion 160 of outer housing 154 for filling the reservoir 164with the fluid to be dispensed. This fill means is also similar to theearlier described fill means, save for the fact that the fill means ofthis latest embodiment comprises only one fill vial 172 which isidentical in construction and operation to the earlier described fillvial 62. As before, the fill means also includes an alternate fill meansthat comprises a pierceable septum 56 that is disposed within a cavity54 formed in the third portion 160 of outer housing 154. Septum 56 ispierceable by the needle of the syringe which contains the medicinalfluid to be dispensed and which can be used to fill or partially fillreservoir 164 or to recover medicinal fluid therefrom via a passageway171 formed in third portion 160.

Third portion 160 of housing 154 includes a chamber 174 fortelescopically receiving the medicament containing fill vial 172. Anelongated support 178, which is mounted within chamber 174, is providedwith an internally threaded end portion 175 and a longitudinallyextending, elongated hollow needle 180 which has a flow passageway 180 athat communicates with a fluid passageway 171 via an umbrella type checkvalve 182 and a stub passageway 171 a.

The apparatus of this latest form of the invention also includes flowcontrol means that is quite similar in construction and operation to theflow control means described in connection with the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1 through 18. This flow control means isconnected to first portion 156 of outer housing 154 and comprises anullage defining member 184 having a first portion 184 a disposed withininner, expandable housing 162 and a second portion 184 b having a fluidpassageway 185 that is in communication with fluid reservoir 164.

As before, the flow control means includes a flow control subassemblythat is substantially identical in construction and operation to theearlier described flow control subassembly 80 and is of theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the drawings.Accordingly, the details of the construction and operation of thecontrol means of this latest embodiment of the invention will not behere repeated and reference should be made to the earlier description ofthe flow control subassembly 80.

Turning once again to FIG. 19, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of this latest form of the invention is dispensingmeans for dispensing fluid to the patient. This dispensing means isidentical in construction and operation to the previously identifiedadministration set 94 and is connected to the first portion 156 ofhousing 154.

Turning now to FIGS. 23 and 24, it is to be noted that glass or plasticshell vial 172 is identical in construction to fill vial 66 and includesa fluid chamber 102 for containing an injectable fluid. Chamber 102 isprovided with a first open end 100 a and second closed end 100 b. Firstopen end 100 a is sealably closed by closure means here provided in theform of an externally threaded elastomeric plunger 104 which istelescopically movable within the vial from a first location shown inFIG. 24, where the plunger is disposed proximate first open end 100 a,to a second location where the plunger is disposed proximate second,closed end 100 b.

After opening of cover 160 a (FIG. 22), vial 172 can be inserted intochamber 174. As the fill vial is so introduced and the plunger 104 isthreadably interconnected with end 175 of the elongated support, thesharp end of elongated needle 180 will pierce the central wall 104 a ofthe elastomeric plunger. Continuous movement of the vial into chamber174 will cause the structural support 178 to move the elastomericplunger inwardly of the vial chamber in a direction toward the secondclosed end 100 b of the vial. As the plunger is moved inwardly of thevial, the fluid contained within the vial chamber will be expelledtherefrom into the hollow elongated needle 180. As best seen in FIG. 22,the fluid will then flow past umbrella type check valve 182 and intopassageway 171 formed in third portion 160 of the apparatus housing.

As the fluid flows into the bellows reservoir, the bellows will beexpanded from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 22 into anexpanded configuration. As the bellows member expands it will urge atelescopically movable volume indicator member 112 that is carriedwithin second portion of the housing and in engagement with the storedenergy source, or compressible-expandable member 170 causing it tocompress. It is also to be understood that, if desired, the reservoir ofthe bellows component can also be filled by alternate filling means ofthe character previously described which comprises a syringe having aneedle adapted to pierce the pierceable septum 56 which is mountedwithin third portion 160 of the apparatus housing. As the reservoir 164fills with fluid either from the fill vial 172 or from the fillingsyringe, any gases trapped within the reservoir will be vented toatmosphere via vent means “V” which comprises the earlier described gasvent 113.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94 in amanner presently be described, the stored energy means, or member 170,will tend to return to its less compressed starting configurationthereby controllably urging fluid flow outwardly of reservoir 164 viapassageway 185 and the flow control means of the invention. As the fluidcontained within the bellows reservoir 164 is urged outwardly thereof bythe stored energy means, the fluid will flow into a fluid passageway 185formed in the first portion 184 a of ullage member 184. The fluid willthen flow under pressure through a filter means shown here as a filter116 that is identical to that previously described. After flowingthrough filter 116, the fluid will flow, via a stub passageway 185 a(FIG. 22) into the several radially outwardly extending flow passageways120 formed in flow control member 86. The filtered fluid will fillpassageways 120 and then will flow into the plurality of spiralpassageways 90 formed in member 86 via outlets 90 b, which communicatewith passageways 120 (see FIG. 10). The fluid contained within spiralpassageways 90 can flow outwardly of the device only when one of thefluid outlets 84 formed in casing 82 is aligned with a passageway 186formed in the ullage member.

Selection of the passageway 90 from which the fluid is to be dispensedis accomplished by rotation of the selector knob 88 in the mannerpreviously described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1through 18. The construction and operation of the selector knob isidentical to that previously described and will not be redescribed atthis time.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 28, as before, the distal portion ofselector knob 88 is provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced apart indexing cavities 88 c that closely receive an indexingfinger 190 which forms a part of the indexing means of this latest formof the invention which is carried within third portion 160 of theapparatus housing. Indexing finger 190 is continuously urged intoengagement with a selected one of the indexing cavities 88 c by a coilspring 192 that also forms a part of the indexing means of theinvention. Coil spring 192 can be compressed by an inward force exertedon an indexing shaft 194 that is received within front retaining plate196 and is movable from the extended position shown in FIG. 22 to aninward, finger release position wherein spring 192 is compressed andfinger 190 is retracted from a selected indexing cavity 88 c. Withfinger 190 in its retracted position it is apparent that control knob 88can be freely rotated to a position wherein flow rate indicia 134 formedon the periphery of knob 88 can be viewed through a viewing window 136 aformed in the housing. Button 197 disables (stops flow) to dispenserline.

When the selector knob 88 is in the desired position and pressure isreleased on indexing shaft 194, finger 190 of the indexing means of theinvention will move into locking engagement with one of the indexingcavities 88 c thereby placing a selected one of the spiral shaped flowcontrol channels 90 in communication with outlet 186 of the fluidreservoir 164. As the fluid flows outwardly of the apparatus due to theurging of the stored energy means or elastomeric member 170, the bellowsstructure 162 will be collapsed and at the same time member 112 willtravel inwardly of housing portion 158 and will provide an indication ofthe volume of fluid remaining in the fluid reservoir in the same manneras earlier described.

The apparatus of this latest form of the invention also includes novelsafety disabling means for disabling the apparatus. As best seen inFIGS. 19 and 30, the disabling means here comprises a disable shaft 197that is telescopically movable within a passageway 198 a formed in ahousing 198 that forms a part of portion 156 of the outer housing of theapparatus. Shaft 197 includes a distal end 197 a, which, upon insertionof shaft 197 inwardly of passageway 198 a, will block fluid flow throughpassageway 186 and outwardly into the fluid dispensing means. A retainer199 normally holds shaft 197 is the retracted position and anelastomeric O-ring 200 carried by shaft 197 prevents fluid leakage pastthe shaft.

Referring now to FIGS. 32 through 42, still another embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of the present invention is there illustrated andgenerally designated by the numeral 202. This alternate form of theapparatus of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown inFIGS. 19 through 31 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 32 through 42 toidentify like components. The primary difference between this latestform of the invention and the invention shown in FIGS. 19 through 31resides in the fact that the fill vial used to fill the fluid reservoiris of different construction. As best seen in FIGS. 32 through 36, theapparatus of this alternate form of the invention comprises an outerhousing 202 having mechanically engaged or suitably bonded togetherfirst, second and third portions 206, 208 and 210 respectively. Disposedwithin outer housing 206 is an inner, expandable housing 162 that is ofidentical construction and operation to the expandable housing of thelast described embodiment of the invention. Housing 162 includes a fluidreservoir 164 that is provided with an inlet 166 (FIG. 37) forpermitting fluid flow into the fluid reservoir. As before, expandablehousing 162 comprises a bellows structure having an expandable andcompressible, accordion like sidewall 162 a of the character best seenin FIG. 37.

Disposed within second portion 208 of outer housing 202 is the storedenergy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandable housing162 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 164to controllably flow through outlet 185. In this alternate form of theinvention, the important stored energy means is identical inconstruction and operation to that earlier described in stored energymeans and here comprises a compressively deformable, elastomeric member170 that is carried within the second portion 208 of the outer housing.As before, in operation member 170 is first compressed by fluid flowinginto reservoir 164 and then is controllably expanded to cause fluid flowfrom the fluid reservoir.

As in the last described embodiment of the invention, the apparatus ofthis alternate form of the invention comprises fill means carried by thethird portion 210 of outer housing 202 for filling the reservoir 164with the fluid to be dispensed. This fill means is also similar to theearlier described fill means, save for the fact that the fill means ofthis latest embodiment comprises a single cartridge fill vial 212 whichis of a slightly different construction and operation from closed-endshell fill vial 172. As before, the fill means also includes analternate fill and drug recovery means that comprises a pierceableseptum 56 that is disposed within a cavity 54 formed in the thirdportion 210 of outer housing 202. Septum 56 is pierceable by the needleof the syringe which contains the medicinal fluid to be dispensed andwhich can be used to fill or partially fill reservoir 164 via apassageway 171 formed in third portion 210.

As best seen in FIG. 37, third portion 210 of housing 202 includes achamber 214 for telescopically receiving the medicament containing fillcartridge vial 212. As shown in FIG. 34, an elongated support 218 ismounted within a hollow vial cover 220 that removably covers the fillvial in the manner shown in FIG. 37. The purpose of elongated support218 will presently be described. Fill vial cartridge 212, which is ofthe generally conventional construction shown in FIG. 32A, comprises ahollow glass or plastic body portion 219 having an inner surface 216that defines a fluid chamber 219 a. The fill cartridge vial has an openfirst end 214 a and a second end 214 b that is closed by a pierceable,elastomeric septum 221 secured in place by a conventional crimp closuremeans. Mounted proximate the inboard end of chamber 214 of housing 202is a hollow needle 215 (FIG. 37) which is adapted to pierce septum 221when the fill vial is inserted into chamber 214 in a manner next to bedescribed.

Disposed within fluid reservoir 219 a is a plunger 224 that is moved bysupport 218 of vial cover 220 from a first position proximate end 214 aof vial 212 to a second position shown in FIG. 37. More particularly, asthe vial cover 220 is mated with the apparatus housing, the inboard 218a of elongated support 218 engages plunger 224 urging the plungerinwardly of fluid chamber 219 a. As the plunger moves inwardly of thefluid reservoir, the fluid contained in the reservoir will be forcedthrough hollow needle 215, passed an umbrella check valve 226 mountedwithin third portion 210, into a stub passageway 228, into passageway171 and finally into fluid reservoir 164. As the fluid flows intoreservoir 164 it will compress the stored energy means in the mannerpreviously described.

The apparatus of this latest form of the invention also includes flowcontrol means that is identical in construction and operation to theflow control means described in connection with the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 18 through 31. This flow control means isconnected to first portion 206 of outer housing 202 and comprises anullage defining member 184 having a first portion 184 a disposed withininner, expandable housing 162 and a second portion 184 b having a fluidpassageway 186 that is in communication with the outlet of the fluidreservoir 164.

As before, the flow control means includes a flow control subassemblythat is substantially identical in construction and operation to theearlier described flow control subassembly 80 and is of theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the drawings. For thisreason, the details of the construction and operation of the controlmeans of this latest embodiment of the invention will not be hererepeated and reference should be made to the earlier description of theflow control subassembly 80.

Turning once again to FIG. 32, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of this latest form of the invention is dispensingmeans for dispensing fluid to the patient. This dispensing means isidentical in construction and operation to the previously identifiedadministration set 94 and is connected to the first portion 206 ofhousing 202.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94 in amanner presently be described, the stored energy means, or member 170,will tend to return to its less compressed starting configurationthereby controllably urging fluid flow outwardly of reservoir 164 viathe flow control means of the invention. As the fluid contained withinthe bellows reservoir 164 is urged outwardly thereof by the storedenergy means, the fluid will flow into a fluid passageway 185 formed inthe first portion 184 a of ullage member 184. The fluid will then flowunder pressure through a filter means shown here as a filter 116 that isidentical to that previously described. After flowing through filter116, the fluid will flow, via a stub passageway 185 a (FIG. 37) into theseveral radially outwardly extending flow passageways 120 formed in flowcontrol member 86. The filtered fluid will fill passageways 120 and thenwill flow into the plurality of spiral passageways 90 formed in member86 via outlets 90 b, which communicate with passageways 120 (see FIG.10). The fluid contained within spiral passageways 90 can flow outwardlyof the device only when one of the fluid outlets 84 formed in casing 82is aligned with passageway 186 (FIG. 37).

Selection of the passageway 90 from which the fluid is to be dispensedis accomplished by rotation of the selector knob 88 in the mannerpreviously described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19through 31. The construction and operation of the selector knob, theindexing means and the locking means is identical to that previouslydescribed and will not be redescribed at this time.

As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, as the fluidflows outwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of the stored energymeans or elastomeric member 170, the bellows structure 162 will becollapsed and at the same time member 112 will travel inwardly ofhousing portion 208 and will provide an indication of the volume offluid remaining in the fluid reservoir in the same manner as earlierdescribed.

This latest embodiment also includes disabling means, which, as shown inFIG. 42, is substantially identical in construction and operation tothat previously described.

Referring now to FIGS. 43 through 50, yet another embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of the present invention is there illustrated andgenerally designated by the numeral 230. This alternate form of theapparatus of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown inFIGS. 32 through 34 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 43 through 50 toidentify like components. The primary difference between this latestform of the invention and the invention shown in FIGS. 32 through 42resides in the fact that two fill vials are used to fill the fluidreservoir of the apparatus. As before, the apparatus of this alternateform of the invention comprises an outer housing 232 having a first,second and third portions 234, 236, and 238 respectively. Disposedwithin outer housing 232 is an inner, expandable housing 162 that is ofidentical construction and operation to the expandable housing of theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 32 through 42. As in theearlier described embodiment, housing 162 includes a fluid reservoir 164that is provided with an inlet 166 (FIG. 44) for permitting fluid flowinto the fluid reservoir. As shown in FIG. 44, expandable housing 162comprises a bellows structure having an expandable and compressible,accordion-like side wall 162 a.

Disposed within second portion 236 of outer housing 232 is the storedenergy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandable housing162 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 164to controllably flow through outlet 186. In this alternate form of theinvention, the important stored energy means is identical inconstruction and operation to the earlier described stored energy meansand here comprises a compressively deformable, elastomeric member 170that is carried within the second portion 236 of the outer housing. Asbefore, in operation member 170 is first compressed by fluid flowinginto reservoir 164 and then is controllably expanded to cause fluid flowfrom the fluid reservoir.

As in the last described embodiment of the invention, the apparatus ofthis alternate form of the invention comprises fill means carried by thethird portion 238 of outer housing 232 for filling the reservoir 164with the fluid to be dispensed. This fill means is also similar to theearlier described fill means, save for the fact that the fill means ofthis latest embodiment comprises a pair of identical fill vials orcartridges 212 which are of the same construction and operation as theearlier described fill vial 212. As in the previously describedembodiments, the fill means also includes an alternate fill means thatcomprises a pierceable septum 56 that is disposed within a cavity 54formed in the third portion 238 of outer housing 232. Septum 56 ispierceable by the needle of the syringe which contains the medicinalfluid to be dispensed and which can be used to fill or partially fillreservoir 164 via a passageway 241 formed in third portion 238.

As best seen in FIGS. 44 and 50, third portion 238 of housing 232includes a pair of spaced-apart chambers 242 for telescopicallyreceiving the medicament containing fill vials 212. As shown in FIGS.34, 44, and 50, a pair of elongated supports 244 are mounted within ahollow vial cover 246 that forms a part of the third portion 238 of thehousing and removably covers the fill vials in the manner shown in FIG.44. Each of the fill vial cartridges 212, has a generally conventionalconstruction shown in FIGS. 49 and 49A, and each comprises a hollowglass or plastic body portion 219 that defines a fluid chamber 220. Eachfill vial has an open first end 214 a and a second end that is closed bya pierceable, elastomeric septum 221. Mounted proximate the inboard endof each chamber of the housing is a hollow needle 215 which is adaptedto pierce septum 221 when the fill vials are inserted into chambers 242in a manner next to be described.

Disposed within each fluid reservoir 220 is a plunger 224 that is movedby a support 244 of vial cover 246 from a first position proximate end214 a of the vial to a second position. More particularly, as the vialcover 246 is slidably mated with the apparatus housing, the inboard ofeach of the elongated supports engages a plunger 224 urging the plungerinwardly of fluid chamber 220. As each of the plungers move inwardly oftheir respective fluid reservoirs, the fluid contained in the reservoirwill be forced through hollow needle 215, passed an umbrella check valve226 mounted within third housing portion 238, into a stub passageway248, into passageway 241 and finally into fluid reservoir 164 via 166.As the fluid flows into reservoir 164, it will compress the storedenergy means in the manner previously described.

The apparatus of this latest form of the invention also includes flowcontrol means that is identical in construction and operation to theflow control means described in connection with the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 32 through 42. This flow control means isconnected to first portion 234 of outer housing 232 and comprises anullage defining member 184 having a first portion 184 a disposed withininner, expandable housing 162 and a second portion 184 b having a fluidpassageway 186 that is in communication with the outlet of the fluidreservoir 164.

As before, the flow control means includes a flow control subassemblythat is substantially identical in construction and operation to theearlier described flow control subassembly 80 and is of theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the drawings. For thisreason, the details of the construction and operation of the controlmeans of this latest embodiment of the invention will not be hererepeated and reference should be made to the earlier description of theflow control subassembly 80.

Turning once again to FIG. 43, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of this latest form of the invention is dispensingmeans for dispensing fluid to the patient. This dispensing means isidentical in construction and operation to the previously identifiedadministration set 94 and is connected to the first portion 234 ofhousing 232.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94, thestored energy means, or member 170, will tend to return to its lesscompressed starting configuration thereby controllably urging fluid flowoutwardly of reservoir 164 via the flow control means of the invention.As the fluid contained within the bellows reservoir 164 is urgedoutwardly thereof by the stored energy means, the fluid will flow into afluid passageway 185 formed in the first portion 184 a of ullage member184. The fluid will then flow under pressure through a filter meansshown here as a filter 116 that is identical to that previouslydescribed. After flowing through filter 116, the fluid will flow, via astub passageway 185 a (FIG. 44) in the several radially outwardlyextending flow passageways 120 formed in flow control member 86. Thefiltered fluid will fill passageways 120 and then will flow into theplurality of spiral passageways 90 formed in member 86 via outlets 90 b,which communicate with passageways 120 (see FIG. 10). The fluidcontained within spiral passageways 90 can flow outwardly of the deviceonly when one of the fluid outlets 84 formed in casing 82 is alignedwith passageway 186 (FIG. 44).

Selection of the passageway 90 from which the fluid is to be dispensedis accomplished by rotation of the selector knob 88 in the mannerpreviously described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19through 31. The construction and operation of the selector knob, theindexing means and the locking means is identical to that previouslydescribed and will not be redescribed at this time.

As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, as the fluidflows outwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of the stored energymeans or elastomeric member 170, the bellows structure 162 will becollapsed and at the same time member 112 will travel inwardly ofhousing portion 236 and will provide an indication of the volume offluid remaining in the fluid reservoir in the same manner as earlierdescribed.

This latest embodiment also includes a safety defeat disabling means,which is substantially identical in construction and operation to thatpreviously described.

Turning now to FIGS. 51 through 63, another form of the dispensingapparatus of the present invention is there illustrated and generallydesignated by the numeral 250. This alternate form of the apparatus ofthe invention is similar in many respects to that shown in FIGS. 43through 63 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 51 through 63 to identifylike components. The primary difference between this latest form of theinvention and the invention shown in FIGS. 43 through 63 resides in thefact that one of the two cartridge fill vials used to fill the fluidreservoir of the apparatus is of a different construction. Moreparticularly, one of the fill vials is specially designed to enable thereconstitution and intermixing of a lypholized drug with a suitablediluent prior to the delivery of the mixture to the fluid reservoir ofthe device.

As in the earlier described embodiments, the apparatus of this latestform of the invention comprises an outer housing 252 having first,second and third portions 254, 256 and 258 respectively. Disposed withinouter housing 252 is an inner, expandable housing 162 that is ofidentical construction and operation to the expandable housing of theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 32 through 42. As in theearlier described embodiment, housing 162 includes a fluid reservoir 164that is provided with an inlet 166 (FIG. 52) for permitting fluid flowinto the fluid reservoir. As shown in FIG. 52, expandable housing 162comprises a bellows structure having an expandable and compressible,accordion like sidewall 162 a.

Disposed within second portion 256 of outer housing 252 is the storedenergy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandable housing162 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 164to controllably flow through outlet 186. In this latest form of theinvention, the important stored energy means is identical inconstruction and operation to the earlier described stored energy meansand here comprises a compressively deformable, elastomeric member 170that is carried within the second portion 256 of the outer housing. Asbefore, in operation, member 170 is further compressed by fluid flowinginto reservoir 164 and then is controllably expanded to cause fluid flowfrom the fluid reservoir.

As previously mentioned, the apparatus of this latest form of theinvention comprises fill means of a somewhat different construction thatis carried by the third portion 258 of outer housing 252 for filling thereservoir 164 with the fluid to be dispensed. This fill means, like thelast described fill means, comprises a pair of fill vials or cartridgesone of which, namely fill vial 212, is of identical construction andoperation to the earlier described fill vial 212. The second fill vialor cartridge designated by the numeral 262 comprises a container ofspecial design that uniquely contains a lyophilized drug 264 that isseparated from a reconstituting fluid 266 by a barrier stopper 268 (FIG.57). Lyophilized drug 264 can, by way of example, compriseanti-infectives, oncolytics, cardiac drugs or various other types ofbeneficial agents. Cartridge 262 is telescopically receivable within avial housing 270 that is of the configuration shown in FIGS. 52, 55 and56. As before, vial housing 270 includes a pair of spaced apart pushermembers 272 and 274 which, upon mating of the vial housing within theapparatus housing, engage plungers 224 (FIG. 59) and 276 (FIG. 57)respectively to push them forwardly of their respective containerreservoirs.

Considering in more detail the reconstitution cartridge assembly 262, asbest seen in FIG. 57, this cartridge assembly includes a vial 280 thatis sealed at one end by a plunger 276 and at the other end by apierceable septum 282 (FIGS. 54 57, and 61). Formed intermediate theends of vial 280 is a raised outer wall portion 280 a which permitsfluid 266 to bypass barrier stopper 268 as the elastomeric barrierstopper is urged inwardly of the container by pressure exerted thereonby the fluid 266. Fluid 266 exerts pressure on barrier member 268 as aresult of pusher member 274 exerting inward pressure on plunger 276,which pressure is, in turn, caused by the inward movement of plunger 276as vial housing 262 is mated with the apparatus housing 270 (FIG. 52).

A continued inward pressure exerted on elastomeric plunger 276 willcause the reconstitution agent 266 to flow past barrier stopper member268 via wall portion 280 a or the bypass chamber, so as to reconstitutelyophilized drug 264. Further pressure exerted on plunger 276 will causethe reconstituted drug formed by the fluid 266 which has been intermixedwith drug 264 to flow through a hollow cannula 215, past check valve284, into a stub passageway 286 then into a passageway 290 then intomicrogrooves 166 a formed in ullage 184 a and finally into reservoir 164(FIG. 52).

As previously mentioned, plunger 224 is disposed within vial 212 and ismoved by a support 272 of vial cover 270 as the vial cover is slidablymated with the apparatus housing. As plunger 224 is moved inwardly offluid reservoir 219, the diluent contained in the reservoir will beforced through hollow needle 215, passed an umbrella check valve 226mounted within third housing portion 258, into a stub passageway 248,into passageway 290, into microchannels 166 a and finally into fluidreservoir 164. As the fluid flows into reservoir 164, it will compressthe stored energy means in the manner previously described.

As in the earlier described embodiments, the fill means also includes analternate fill and recovery means that comprises a pierceable septum 56that is disposed within a cavity 54 formed in the third portion 258 ofouter housing 252. Septum 56 is pierceable by the needle of the syringewhich contains the medicinal fluid to be dispensed and which can be usedto fill or partially fill reservoir 164 via a passageway 290 formed inthird portion 258.

The apparatus of this latest form of the invention also includes flowcontrol means that is identical in construction and operation to theflow control means described in connection with the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 32 through 42. This flow control means isconnected to first portion 254 of outer housing 252 and comprises anullage defining member 184 having a first portion 184 a disposed withininner, expandable housing 162 and a second portion 184 b having a fluidpassageway 186 that is in communication with outlet 168 of the fluidreservoir 164.

As before, the flow control means includes a flow control subassemblythat is substantially identical in construction and operation to theearlier described flow control subassembly 80 and is of theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 13 of the drawings. For thisreason, the details of the construction and operation of the controlmeans of this latest embodiment of the invention will not be hererepeated and reference should be made to the earlier description of theflow control subassembly 80.

Turning once again to FIG. 51, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of this latest form of the invention is dispensingmeans for dispensing fluid to the patient. This dispensing means isidentical in construction and operation to the previously identifiedadministration set 94 and is connected to the first portion 254 ofhousing 252.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94 in amanner presently be described, the stored energy means, or member 170,will tend to return to its less compressed starting configurationthereby controllably urging fluid flow outwardly of reservoir 164 viathe flow control means of the invention. As the fluid contained withinthe bellows reservoir 164 is urged outwardly thereof by the storedenergy means, the fluid will flow into a fluid passageway 185 formed inthe first portion 184 a of ullage member 184. The fluid will then flowunder pressure through a filter means shown here as a filter 116 that isidentical to that previously described. After flowing through filter116, the fluid will flow, via a stub passageway 185 a (FIG. 52) into theseveral radially outwardly extending flow passageways 120 formed in flowcontrol member 86. The filtered fluid will fill passageways 120 and thenwill flow into the plurality of spiral passageways 90 formed in member86 via outlets 90 b, which communicate with passageways 120 (see FIG.10). The fluid contained within spiral passageways 90 can flow outwardlyof the device only when one of the fluid outlets 84 formed in casing 82is aligned with passageway 186 (FIG. 52).

Selection of the passageway 90 from which the fluid is to be dispensedis accomplished by rotation of the selector knob 88 in the mannerpreviously described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19through 31. The construction and operation of the selector knob, theindexing means and the locking means is identical to that previouslydescribed and will not be redescribed at this time.

As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, as the fluidflows outwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of the stored energymeans or elastomeric member 170, the bellows structure 162 will becollapsed and at the same time member 112 will travel inwardly ofhousing portion 256 and will provide an indication of the volume offluid remaining in the fluid reservoir in the same manner as earlierdescribed.

This latest embodiment also includes safety defeat disabling means,which, as shown in FIG. 43, is substantially identical in constructionand operation to that previously described.

Considering next the alternate form of fill cartridge assembly 292,shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, this fill cartridge is similar in somerespects to fill cartridge 262 and includes a vial 294 that is sealed atone end by a plunger 295 and at the other end by a pierceable septum282. Formed intermediate the ends of vial 294 is a plurality ofspaced-apart, angularly inclined fluid flow passageways 296 which permitfluid 266 to bypass a member or barrier stopper 297 as the barrierstopper is urged inwardly of the container by pressure exerted thereonby fluid 266. Fluid 266 exerts pressure on barrier member 297 as aresult of pusher member 274 of the vial housing 270 exerting inwardpressure on plunger 295, which pressure is, in turn, caused by theinward movement of plunger 295 as vial housing 270 is mated with thehousing 252.

A continued inward pressure exerted on elastomeric plunger 295 willcause fluid 266 to flow past elastomeric barrier member 297 via flowpassageway 296 so as to reconstitute lyophilized drug 264 (FIG. 61).Further pressure exerted on plunger 295 will cause the reconstituteddrug formed by the fluid 266 which has been intermixed with drug 264 toflow through a hollow cannula 283, past check valve 284, into a stubpassageway 286, then into a passageway 290 into the micro-channels 166 aand finally into reservoir 164 (FIG. 52).

Referring now to FIGS. 64 through 70, yet another embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of the present invention is there illustrated andgenerally designated by the numeral 302. This alternate form of theapparatus of the invention is somewhat similar to that shown in theprevious figure drawings and like numerals are used in FIG. 64 through70 to identify like components. The primary difference between thislatest form of the invention and the invention shown in earlier figuredrawings resides in the fact that the only fill means comprises a septum304 that is disposed within a cavity 306 in the device housing 308.Septum 304 is pierceable by the needle of a syringe which contains themedicinal fluid to be dispensed and used to fill the fluid reservoir ofthe device (FIG. 66).

As best seen in FIGS. 64 and 68, the outer housing 308 comprises firstand second portions 310 and 312 respectively. Disposed within outerhousing 308 is an inner, expandable housing 162 that is of identicalconstruction and operation to the expandable housing of the earlierdescribed embodiments of the invention. Housing 162 includes a fluidreservoir 164 that is provided with an inlet 314 (FIG. 66) forpermitting fluid flow into the fluid reservoir. As before, expandablehousing 162 comprises a bellows structure having an expandable andcompressible, accordion like sidewall 162 a of the character best seenin FIG. 66.

Disposed within second portion 312 of outer housing 308 is the storedenergy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandable housing162 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluid reservoir 164to controllably flow through an outlet, the character of which willpresently be described. Any gases contained within the expandablehousing will be substantially vented to atmosphere through a vent “V”via a passageway 316 and a filter 317.

In this alternate form of the invention, the important stored energymeans is identical in construction and operation to the earlierdescribed stored energy means and here comprises a compressivelydeformable, elastomeric member 170 that is carried within the secondportion 312 of the outer housing. As before, in operation, member 170 isfirst compressed by fluid flowing into reservoir 164 and then iscontrollably expanded to cause fluid flow from the fluid reservoir.

As previously mentioned, in the last described embodiment of theinvention, the fill means which is carried by the second portion 312 ofouter housing 308 for filling the reservoir 164 with the fluid to bedispensed comprises the septum 304. Septum 304 is pierceable by theneedle of the syringe which contains the medicinal fluid that can beused to fill or partially fill reservoir 164 via passageway 314 formedin second portion 312 of the housing.

Turning once again to FIG. 64, also forming a part of the fluiddispensing apparatus of this latest form of the invention is dispensingmeans for dispensing fluid to the patient. This dispensing means isidentical in construction and operation to the previously identifiedadministration set 94 and is connected to the ullage defining means ofthe invention that comprises a part of the housing 308. This ullagemeans is provided in the form of an ullage defining member 315 thatincludes a first portion 315 a that is disposed within inner expandablehousing 162 and a second portion 315 b having a passageway 316 that isin communication with fluid reservoir 164.

Upon opening the fluid delivery path to the administration set 94, thestored energy means, or member 170, will tend to return to itsuncompressed starting configuration thereby controllably urging fluidflow outwardly of reservoir 164. As the fluid contained within thebellows reservoir 164 is urged outwardly thereof by the stored energymeans, the fluid will flow under pressure through a filter means shownhere as filter 116 that is identical to that previously described. Afterflowing through filter 116, the fluid will flow, via a stub passageway318 (FIG. 66) and into a fluid passageway 320, which comprises a finebore capillary line portion of the administration set 94. The capillaryline portion can be of various diameters and lengths to thereby enableprecise fluid flow rate control.

As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, as the fluidflows outwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of the stored energymeans or elastomeric member 170, the bellows structure 162 will becollapsed and at the same time a member 112 will travel inwardly ofhousing portion and will provide an indication of the volume of fluidremaining in the load reservoir in the same manner as earlier described.

This latest embodiment also uniquely includes fastening means forreleasably fastening the device to the clothing of the patient, such asa shirt pocket or a belt. This fastening means is here provided in theform of a spring clip 322 that is affixed to one side of the housing308.

Referring next to FIGS. 71 through 85, yet another embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of the present invention is there illustrated andgenerally designated by the numeral 442. As best seen in FIGS. 71 and72, the apparatus here comprises an outer housing 444 having first andsecond portions 446 and 448 respectively and a bonded end plate 449.Disposed within outer housing 444 is an inner, expandable housing 450having a fluid reservoir 452 provided with an inlet 454 (FIG. 73) forpermitting fluid flow into the fluid reservoir and an outlet 456 forpermitting fluid flow from the fluid reservoir. Expandable housing 450,which can be constructed from a metal or plastic material, comprises abellows structure having an expandable and compressible, accordion-like,annular-shaped sidewall 450 a, the configuration of which is best seenin FIGS. 73 and 74. As best seen in FIG. 74, the inner wall of thebellows is provided, in the manner previously described herein, with oneor more layers of a protective coating 458 that is compatible with thefluids contained within reservoir 452.

Disposed within second portion 448 of outer housing 444 is the novelstored energy means of the invention for acting upon inner expandablehousing 450 in a manner to cause the fluid contained within fluidreservoir 452 to controllably flow outwardly of the housing. In thepresent form of the invention, this important stored energy meanscomprises a compressively deformable, elastomeric member 460 that iscarried within the second portion 448 of the outer housing. In a mannerpresently to be described, member 460 is first compressed by fluidflowing into reservoir 452 and then is controllably expanded to causefluid flow from the outer housing through the dispensing means of theinvention. Stored energy member 460 can be constructed from a widevariety of materials including metals and plastics. By way of example,stored energy member 460 can be constructed from a wide variety offoam-like, solid and cellular materials including rubbers, molded orextruded plastics and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) andthermoplastic urethane (TPU) and polyethylene. By way of example,suitable materials include latex rubber, rubber polyolefins,polyisoprene (natural rubber), butyl rubber, nitrile rubber,polyurethane, vinyls, vinyl-end-blocked polydimethylsiloxanes, otherhomopolymer, copolymers (random alternating, block, graft, cross-linkand star block), silicones and other flouropolymers, mechanicalpoly-blends, polymer alloys and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) andthermoplastic urethane (TPU) and polyethylene.

Forming an important aspect of the apparatus of the present invention isfill means carried by outer housing 444 for filling the reservoir 452with the fluid to be dispensed. As best seen in FIG. 73, first portion446 includes a fluid passageway 462 in communication with inlet 454 offluid reservoir 452. Proximate its lower end 462 a, fluid passageway 462communicates with a cavity 464 formed within portion 446 of the housing444. Disposed within cavity 464 is a pierceable septum 466 thatcomprises a part of one form of the fill means of the invention. Septum466 is held in position by a retainer 466 a and is pierceable by theneedle of the syringe which contains the medicinal fluid to be dispensedand which can be used in a conventional manner to fill or partially fillreservoir 452 via passageway 462.

Forming another very important aspect of the apparatus of the presentinvention is a novel flow control means that is disposed interiorly ofouter housing 444. This flow control means functions to preciselycontrol the outwardly rate of fluid flow from reservoir 452 and towardthe patient. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 71 through 88the flow control means comprises a flow control assembly generallydesignated in the drawings by the numeral 470. As best seen in FIGS. 81and 82, this novel flow control assembly here comprises an inletmanifold 472 having an inlet port 474 that is in communication with theoutlet 456 of the fluid reservoir 452 and an outlet manifold 476 that isinterconnected with intake manifold 472 by means of a separator plate478. As indicated in FIGS. 81 and 82, outlet manifold 476 as an outletport 479 that is in communication with the outlet of the apparatus andis provided with an elongated microchannel 480 that is coated with acoating C-1 (FIG. 86A) and is in communication both with inlet port 474and with the outlet port 479 of the outlet manifold. Disposedintermediate inlet manifold 472 and a generally circular shapedseparator plate 478 is filter means, here provided as a filter member482 that functions to filter fluid flowing toward outlet port 478 of theoutlet manifold. Generally disk shaped filter member 482 can be formedfrom various porous materials, including porous metals, plastics andporous ceramics.

As best seen in FIG. 82, separator plate 478 is provided with standoffribs 484 for supporting filter member 482 in the manner shown in FIG.81. The assemblage made up of inlet manifold 472, outlet manifold 476,separator plate 478 and filter 482 is preferably encapsulated within anouter metal or plastic casing 486 (see FIG. 81).

As indicated in FIG. 81, the flow rate control means, or assemblage 470,has an axial centerline “C” with which the inlet port 474 of the inletmanifold 472 is coaxial aligned. However, the outlet port 479 of theoutlet manifold is radially spaced from the axial centerline. With thisconstruction, fluid will flow from reservoir 452 into inlet port 474,through filter member 482, through a central opening 478 a formed inseparator plate 478 and thence into microchannel 480 (see also FIG. 85).By controlling the length, depth and width of the microchannel 480, therate of fluid flow flowing outwardly of outlet 479 can be preciselycontrolled. In this regard, the microchannel can take several forms asfor example that illustrated in FIG. 86 of the drawings and generallydesignated therein by the numeral 480 a. Where required for drugcompatibility purposes, the micro channel 480 a can be coated with acompatibility coating “C-1” of the character previously described. Thiscoating can be accomplished in several ways, including the plasmacoating process earlier described herein.

Turning once again to FIGS. 71, 72 and 73, also forming a part of thefluid dispensing apparatus of the present invention is dispensing meansfor dispensing fluid to the patient. In the present form of theinvention this dispensing means comprises an administration set 488 thatis connected to the first portion 446 of housing 444 in the manner shownin the drawings. The proximal end 490 a of administration line 490 ofthe administration set 488 is in communication with an outlet fluidpassageway 492 which is formed in housing portion 446 in the manner bestseen in FIG. 73. Disposed between the proximal and 490 a and the distalend 490 b of the administration line is a conventional gas vent andfilter 496. Provided at the distal end 490 b of the administration lineis a luer connector 498 of conventional construction (FIG. 71).

To control fluid flow from the outlet 479 of the flow rate control meanstoward outlet passageway 492, novel operating means are provided. Thisoperating means here comprises a control knob assembly 500 that includesa finger gripping portion of 502 and a generally cylindrically shapedshank portion 504 that is rotatably received within a bore 506 formed inhousing portion 446 (FIG. 73). As indicated in FIG. 75, control knobassembly 500 is rotatable from a first “on”, or fluid flow position, toa second “off” position as indicated by indicia provided on the forwardface of housing portion 446. The control knob assembly is retained inposition with a housing 446 by a retainer ring 505. Shank portion 504 ofthe control knob assembly includes an axial flow passageway 508 thatcommunicates with the earlier identified outlet flow passageway 492 viaa stub passageway 509. The flow passageway 508 also communicates withoutlet 479 of flow rate control assembly 470 when the control assemblyis in the “on” position shown in FIG. 75. In this position, fluid it canflow from reservoir 452, through outlet 456, through flow rate controlassembly 470, into central passageway 508 of the control knob assemblyand then toward the administration set via passageway 492. As indicatedin FIGS. 76 and 78, to guide the travel of the control knob assembly,the control knob assembly is provided with a protuberance 502 a thattravels within a groove 511 provided in the housing portion 446.

In using the apparatus of the invention, with the control knob assemblyin the “off” position, the reservoir 452 of the bellows component 450can be filled by filling means which comprises a conventional syringehaving a needle adapted to pierce the pierceable septum 466 which ismounted within portion 446 of the apparatus housing. As the fluid flowsinto the bellows reservoir, the bellows will be expanded from acollapsed into an expanded configuration, such as is shown in FIG. 73.As the bellows member expands it will urge a telescopically movablevolume indicator member 512 that is carried within a second portion 448of the housing into engagement with the stored energy source causing itto compress. As the reservoir 452 fills with fluid from the fillingsyringe, any gases trapped within the reservoir will be vented toatmosphere via vent means “V” mounted in knob 502.

With the infusion apparatus interconnected with the patient's clothingby means of a spring clip assembly 518, which is affixed to the side ofthe device housing in the manner shown in FIGS. 72 and 75, and with theadministration set 488 interconnected with the patient, opening thefluid delivery path to the administration set can be accomplished byrotating the control knob from the “off” position to the “on” position.Upon opening the fluid delivery path, the stored energy means, or member460, will tend to return to its starting configuration therebycontrollably urging fluid flow outwardly of reservoir 452 via the flowrate control means of the invention, passageway 508 of the control knobassembly and delivery passageway 492 formed in housing portion 446. Asthe fluid flows outwardly of the apparatus due to the urging of thestored energy means, the bellows structure 450 will be collapsed and atthe same time member 512 will travel inwardly of housing portion 448.Member 512, which forms a part of the volume indicator means of theinvention, includes a radially outwardly extending indicating finger 512a that is visible through a volume indicator window 514 that is providedin a second portion 448 of the apparatus housing and also comprises apart of the volume indicator means of the invention (FIGS. 71 and 72).Indicia 516, which are provided on indicator window 514, function toreadily indicate to the caregiver the amount of fluid remaining withinfluid reservoir 452.

As previously discussed, a number of beneficial agents can be introducedinto reservoir 452 and can be controllably dispensed to the patientincluding, by way of example, medicaments of various types, drugs,pharmaceuticals, hormones, antibodies, biologically active materials,elements, chemical compounds, or any other suitable material useful indiagnostic cure, medication, treatment or preventing of diseases or themaintenance of the good health of the patient.

Referring next to FIG. 87, an alternate form of flow control means ofthe invention is there shown. This flow control means can be mountedwithin a modified housing 444 that will accommodate off-set, in-lineinput and output ports of the diameter shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Thislatter flow control means functions to precisely control the rate offluid flow from reservoir 452 toward the patient. In the form of theinvention shown in FIG. 87, the flow control means comprises a flowcontrol assembly generally designated in the drawings by the numeral520. Flow control assembly 520 here comprises a first component or inletmanifold 522 having an inlet port 524 that can be placed incommunication of the outlet 456 of the fluid reservoir 452 and an outletmanifold 526 that can be interconnected with first component 522 bymeans of a pair of separator plates or components 528 and 529. Outletmanifold component 526 has an outlet port 528 that is in communicationwith the outlet 542 of separator plate 529 and also in communicationwith the outlet of the apparatus. Intake manifold 522 has an innersurface 522 a that is provided with a plurality of interconnected,imbedded capillaries 532. Capillaries 532 are in communication both withinlet port 524 and with an outlet port 534 formed in the inlet manifold.Disposed adjacent manifold 522 is separator plate 528. Separator plate528 has an inner, uninterrupted surface 528 a that is also provided witha plurality of imbedded capillaries 536 that are in communication withoutlet port 534 formed in the inlet manifold. Fluid flowing fromcapillaries 532 flows into capillaries 536 via an inlet port 537 andthen outwardly of separator plate 528 via an outlet port 536 a.

Separator plate 529, which is disposed intermediate separator plate 528and outlet manifold 526, has an inner, uninterrupted surface 529 a thatis provided with a plurality of interconnected capillaries 540 thatreceive the fluid flowing outwardly of outlet port 536 a. After thefluid flow through capillaries 540, it will flow toward outlet 543 ofoutlet manifold 526 via an outlet port 542.

By controlling the length, width and depth of capillaries 532, 536, and540, the rate of fluid flow flowing outwardly of outlet 543 can beprecisely controlled. In this regard, it is to be understood that thecapillaries of the flow control assembly can take several formsdepending upon the end use of the fluid delivery device.

Turning now to FIG. 88, still another form of flow control means of theinvention is there shown. This flow control means can also be mountedwithin housing 444 in place of flow control assembly 470 and functionsto precisely control the rate of fluid flow from reservoir 452 andtoward the patient. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 88, theflow control means comprises a flow control assembly generallydesignated in the drawings by the numeral 550. Flow control assembly 550here comprises a first component or inlet manifold 552 having an inletport 554 that can be placed in communication with the outlet 456 of thefluid reservoir 452 and a second component or outlet manifold 556 thatcan be interconnected with intake manifold 552 by means of a separatorcomponent or plates 558 and 559. Outlet manifold 556 has an outlet port558 that is in communication with the outlet 560 of separator plate 559and also in communication with the outlet of the apparatus. Intakemanifold 552 has an inner surface 552 a that is provided with aplurality of interconnected imbedded capillaries 562. Capillaries 562are in communication both with inlet port 554 and with an outlet port564 formed in the inlet manifold. Disposed adjacent manifold 552 is aseparator plate 558. Separator plate 558 has an inner surface 558 a thatis provided with a plurality of imbedded capillaries 566 that are incommunication with outlet port 554 formed in the inlet manifold. Fluidflowing from capillaries 562 flows into capillaries 566 via an inletport 567 and then outwardly of separator plate 558 via an outlet port569.

Separator plate 559, which is disposed intermediate separator plate 558and outlet manifold 556, has an inner surface 559 a that is providedwith a plurality of interconnected capillaries 570 that receive thefluid flowing outwardly of outlet port 569. After the fluid flowsthrough capillaries 570, it will flow toward outlet 558 of outletmanifold 556 via an outlet port 560.

As before, by controlling the length, width and depth of capillaries562, 566, and 570 the rate of fluid flow flowing outwardly of outlet 558can be precisely controlled.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:(a) an outer housing; (b) an inner, expandable housing disposed withinsaid outer housing, said inner expandable housing having a fluidreservoir provided with an inlet for permitting fluid flow into saidfluid reservoir and an outlet for permitting fluid flow from said fluidreservoir; (c) stored energy means disposed within said outer housingfor acting upon said inner expandable housing to cause the fluidcontained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow through saidoutlet, said stored energy means comprising a compressively deformable,cellular member carried within said outer housing, said cellular memberbeing expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluid reservoir; (d) fillmeans carried by said outer housing for filling said reservoir with thefluid to be dispensed; (e) flow control means connected to said outerhousing for controlling fluid flow from said reservoir; and (f)dispensing means operably associated with said flow control means fordispensing fluid to the patient.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1in which said cellular member comprises a flexible polymeric foammember.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said cellularmember comprises a metalized foam.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim1 in which said inner expandable housing comprises a bellows structurehaving an accordion-like side wall movable from a substantiallycollapsed configuration to a substantially expanded configuration byfluid flowing into said fluid reservoir.
 5. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1 further including flow control means connected to said firstportion of said outer housing for controlling fluid flow between saidreservoir and said dispensing means, said flow control means comprisinga flow control member rotatable within said reservoir and having aplurality of elongated flow control channels.
 6. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 in which said fill means comprises a first fill vialreceivable within said outer housing.
 7. The apparatus as defined inclaim 6 in which said outer housing includes: (a) a fluid passageway;(b) a first chamber for telescopically receiving said first fill vial;and (c) an elongated support mounted within said first chamber, saidelongated support having an elongated hollow needle, said hollow needledefining a flow passageway in communication with said fluid passageway.8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said first fill vial hasa first open end, a closed second end and includes (a) a fluid reservoirdisposed between said first and second ends; and (b) a pierceableplunger disposed within said fluid reservoir for movement between firstand second positions.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 in whichsaid fill means comprises a second fill vial receivable within saidouter housing and in which said outer housing includes: (a) a secondchamber for telescopically receiving said second fill vial; and (b) anelongated support mounted within said second chamber, said elongatedsupport having an elongated hollow needle, said hollow needle defining aflow passageway in communication with said fluid passageway.
 10. Theapparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said second fill vial has afirst open end, a closed second end and includes; (a) a fluid reservoirdisposed between said first and second ends of said second fill vial;and (b) a pierceable plunger disposed within said fluid reservoir ofsaid second fill vial for movement between first and second positions.11. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patientcomprising: (a) an outer housing having a first, second and thirdportions; (b) an inner, expandable housing disposed within said outerhousing, said inner expandable housing having a fluid reservoir providedwith an inlet for permitting fluid flow into said fluid reservoir; (c)stored energy means disposed within said second portion of said outerhousing for acting upon said inner expandable housing to cause the fluidcontained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow outwardlytoward the patient, said stored energy means comprising a compressivelydeformable, substantially continuous, semisolid member carried withinsaid second portion of said outer housing, said elastomeric member beingexpandable to cause fluid flow from said fluid reservoir; (d) fill meanscarried by said outer housing for filling said reservoir with the fluidto be dispensed; (e) flow control means connected to said first portionof said outer housing for controlling fluid flow from said reservoir,said flow control means comprising a flow control assembly including:(i) an ullage defining member having a first portion disposed withinsaid inner, expandable housing and a second portion having a fluidpassageway in communication with said outlet of said fluid reservoir;(ii) a fluid flow control member rotatably mounted within said firstportion of said ullage defining member, said flow control member havinga plurality of elongated fluid flow control channels, each of saidplurality of elongated fluid flow control channels having an inlet andall outlet; and (iii) selector means rotatably connected to said secondportion of said ullage defining member for rotating said fluid flowcontrol member to selectively align an outlet of one of said elongatedfluid flow control channels with said with fluid passageway in saidsecond portion of said ullage defining member; and (iv) dispensing meansfor dispensing fluid to the patient, said dispensing means beingconnected to said second portion of said ullage defining member, andbeing in communication with said fluid passageway of said second portionof said ullage defining member.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11in which said flow control assembly further comprises: (a) an outercasing circumscribing said flow control member; and (b) distributionmeans formed in said flow control member for distributing fluid fromsaid fluid reservoir to each of said plurality of elongated flow controlchannels.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said flowcontrol member is provided with an inlet passageway in communicationwith said fluid reservoir and in which said fluid flow control assemblyfurther includes filter means carried by said fluid flow control memberfor filtering fluid flowing toward said distribution means.
 14. Theapparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said distribution meanscomprises a plurality of radially extending flow passageways formed insaid fluid flow control member.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13in which said selector means comprises a selector knob connected to saidfluid flow control member, said selector knob having finger grippingmeans for imparting rotation to said selector knob to align said outletof a selected one of said elongated fluid flow control channels withsaid outlet of said fluid passageway in said second portion of saidullage defining member.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 13,further including volume indicator means carried by said outer housingfor indicating the volume of fluid remaining in said fluid reservoir.17. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further including disablingmeans carried by said outer housing for preventing fluid flow towardsaid dispensing means.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 in whichsaid housing includes a cavity in communication with said inlet of saidfluid reservoir and in which said fill means comprises a pierceableseptum disposed within said cavity.
 19. The apparatus as defined inclaim 18 in which said fill means comprises a first fill vial receivablewithin said third portion of said outer housing.
 20. The apparatus asdefined in claim 19 in which said fill means comprises a second fillvial receivable within said third portion of said outer housing.
 21. Theapparatus as defined in claim 20 in which said third portion of saidouter housing includes: (a) a fluid passageway in communication withsaid inlet of said fluid reservoir; (b) a first chamber fortelescopically receiving said first fill vial; (c) an elongated supportmounted within said first chamber, said elongated support having anelongated hollow needle, said hollow needle defining a flow passagewayin communication with said fluid passageway; (d) a second chamber fortelescopically receiving said second fill vial; and (e) an elongatedsupport mounted within said second chamber, said elongated supporthaving an elongated hollow needle, said hollow needle defining a flowpassageway in communication with said fluid passageway.
 22. Theapparatus as defined in claim 21 in which each of said first and secondfill vials has a first open end, a closed second end and each includes;(a) a fluid reservoir disposed between said first and second ends; and(b) a pierceable plunger disposed within said fluid reservoir formovement between first and second positions.
 23. A dispensing apparatusfor dispensing fluids to a patient comprising: (a) an outer housinghaving a first, second and third portions; (b) an inner, expandablehousing disposed within said outer housing, said inner expandablehousing having a fluid reservoir provided with an inlet for permittingfluid flow into said fluid reservoir; (c) stored energy means disposedwithin said second portion of said outer housing for acting upon saidinner expandable housing to cause the fluid contained within said fluidreservoir to controllably flow outwardly toward the patient, said storedenergy means comprising a compressively deformable, elastomeric membercarried within said second portion of said outer housing said, saidelastomeric member being expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluidreservoir; (d) fill means carried by said outer housing for filling saidreservoir with the fluid to be dispensed; (e) flow control meansconnected to said first portion of said outer housing for controllingfluid flow from said reservoir, said flow control means comprising aflow control assembly including: (i) an ullage defining member having afirst portion disposed within said inner, expandable housing and asecond portion having a fluid passageway in communication with saidoutlet of said fluid reservoir; (ii) a flow control member rotatablymounted within said first portion of said ullage defining member, saidflow control member having a plurality of elongated micro fluidic flowcontrol channels, each of said plurality of elongated micro fluidic flowcontrol channels having an inlet and an outlet; (iii) an outer casingcircumscribing said flow control member; (iv) distribution means formedin said flow control member for distributing fluid from said fluidreservoir to each of said plurality of elongated micro fluidic flowcontrol channels, said distribution means comprising a plurality ofradially extending flow passageways formed in said flow control member;(v) selector means rotatably connected to said second portion of saidullage defining member for rotating said flow control member toselective align an outlet of one of said elongated flow control channelswith said fluid passageway of said second portion of said ullagedefining member, said selector means comprising a selector knobconnected to said flow control member, said selector knob having fingergripping means for imparting rotation to said selector knob to alignsaid outlet of a selected one of said elongated micro fluidic flowcontrol channels with said outlet of said fluid passageway in saidsecond portion of said ullage defining member; (vi) dispensing means fordispensing fluid to the patient, said dispensing means being connectedto said second portion of said ullage defining member, and being incommunication with said fluid passageway of said second portion of saidullage defining member; and (f) volume indicator means for indicatingthe volume of fluid remaining in said fluid reservoir.
 24. The apparatusas defined in claim 23 further including disabling means carried by saidouter housing for preventing fluid flow toward said dispensing means.25. The apparatus as defined in claim 23 in which said outer housingincludes a cavity in communication with said inlet of said fluidreservoir and in which said fill means comprises a pierceable septumdisposed within said cavity.
 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 23further including locking means carried by said outer housing forblocking rotation of said selector knob.
 27. The apparatus as defined inclaim 23 in which said fill means comprises a cartridge fill vialreceivable within said third portion of said outer housing.
 28. Theapparatus as defined in claim 26 in which said third portion of saidouter housing includes; (a) a removable vial cover; (b) a fluidpassageway in communication with said inlet of said fluid reservoir; (c)a chamber for telescopically receiving said cartridge fill vial; and (d)an elongated support mounted within said removable vial cover.
 29. Theapparatus as defined in claim 28 in which said cartridge fill vial hasfirst and second ends and includes: (a) a pierceable septum closing oneof said first and second ends; (b) a fluid reservoir disposed betweensaid first and second ends; and (c) a plunger disposed within said fluidreservoir for movement between first and second positions.
 30. Adispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising: (a)an outer housing having a first, second and third portions; (b) aninner, expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said innerexpandable housing having a fluid reservoir provided with an inlet forpermitting fluid flow into said fluid reservoir and an outlet forpermitting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, said inner expandablehousing comprising a flexible bellows structure having an accordion-likeside wall movable from a substantially collapsed configuration to anexpanded configuration by fluid flowing into said fluid reservoir; (c)stored energy means disposed within said second portion of said outerhousing for acting upon said inner expandable housing to cause the fluidcontained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow through saidoutlet, said stored energy means comprising a compressively deformable,spring member carried within said second portion of said outer housing,said spring member being expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluidreservoir; (d) fill means carried by said third portion of said outerhousing for filling said reservoir with the fluid to be dispensed; (e)flow control means carried by said outer housing for controlling fluidflow from said reservoir; and (f) dispensing means operably associatedwith said flow control means for dispensing fluid to the patient. 31.The apparatus as defined in claim 30 in which said spring membercomprises a metal spring.
 32. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 inwhich said spring member comprises a plastic spring.
 33. The apparatusas defined in claim 30 in which said spring member comprises a wavespring.
 34. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 in which said side wallof said bellows structure is coated with a drug compatible coating. 35.The apparatus as defined in claim 30 in which said coating on said sidewall of said bellows structure comprises a plasma containing fluorinemolecules.
 36. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 in which said flowcontrol means comprises a flow control assembly, including at least onecomponent having a plurality of embedded capillaries.
 37. The apparatusas defined in claim 30 in which said flow control assembly includes aplurality of components having embedded capillaries.
 38. The apparatusas defined in claim 37 in which said embedded capillaries comprise amicro fluidic flow channels.
 39. The apparatus as defined in claim 38 inwhich said microfluidic flow channels are coated.